Fastening for umbrellas



(No Model.)

A. B. SHAW. Fastening for Umbrellas, & 0. No. 231,452. Patented Aug. 24,1880.

14 1417 ass as N.PETERS. PHOTO-LITMOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEQ AI B. SHAWV, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTENING FOR UMBRELLAS, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 231,452, dated August 24, 1880.

Application filed July 6, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AI B. SHAW, of Medford, Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Ties or Fastenings for Umbrellas and for other purposes; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described in the annexed specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The object of my improvementis to provide a flexible band with a clasp secured to one of its ends, and having a tongue adapted to receive between itself and the body of the clasp, edgewise, the other end of the band by an easy lateral movement thereof, and to hold the same at any desired point against longitudinal withdrawal.

My improvement is more especially designed as a closing band or tie for umbrellas or parasols. With my self-adjusting clasp or holder I am enabled to use inelastic bands which adapt themselves to all sizes of umbrellas, whether tightly or loosely rolled up, as readily and conveniently as the elastic bands commonly used, thus dispensing with the rubber bands, which soon lose their elasticity and become too long or too weak to hold properly.

My invention consists in a flexible band in combination with a clasp, preferably of sheet metal, consisting of a body or base-piece secured to one end of the band or strap and a stiffened tongue struck up from said base and united thereto at one end, the tongue being turned 'up slightly at one end to facilitate insertion of the strap sidewise, and lying in nearly the same plane as the base, that the edges of the parts may act on the flexible band between them to preventits longitudinal movement.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows the clasp stitched to one end of the band; Figs. 2 and 5, the. same, with the other end of the band held by the clasp, as in actual use. Figs. 3 and 4 are longitudinal and transverse central sections through the clasp and attached band.

In the several figures the clasp is composed of the base I) and the tongue a, formed of one piece of sheet metal by dies and stamp- (No model.)

ing. The tongue is struck up from the center of the base, leaving an aperture of corresponding shape beneath it, but retains its integral connection therewith at one end, while its opposite free end is turned up slightly, that the band d may be readily entered beneath it edgewise.

To increase the stiffness of the material I concave the under side of the base, thus leaving a space beneath it for the end of the band, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, and I form a central head or corrugation, c, along the tongue, which greatly increases the power with which the tongue bears upon the band (1. Holes 6 e are formed in the base to receive the thread by which the clasp and band are united to each other and may be secured to the umbrella or other article. A groove or depressed channel connecting the eye-holes on each side of the base serves to protect 'the threads from wear and to increase the permanence of attachment of the parts.

The distinguishing peculiarity of my device is, that the free end of the band is entered edgewise or by a lateral movement between the base and the tongue, and is thereby deflected from its direct course into the aperture of the base and out again, while the strains coming upon the band when in use, and tending to withdraw it from the clasp, are longitudinal, or act in the direction of the length of the band, at a right angle to the direction in which it enters the clasp. As a result the hand is held very tightly by the edges of the parts a and b as against these longitudinal strains, although it is readily and easily entered edgewise between said parts when drawn sufficiently tight around the umbrella.

It is obvious that this device is applicable to various uses, and its convenience, cheapness, and utility are apparent.

I distinctly disclaim any clasp having transverse bars united at both ends to the base, or any device requiring the strap to enter it endwise of said strap.

I claim as of my invention* 1. As a new article of manufacture, a metallic clasp consisting of a concave base with base, corrugated longitudinally, as shown, and turned up at its free end, for the purposes set IO forth.

AI B. SIIA\V.

Witnesses:

A. II. SPENCER, E. A. PHELPS. 

